The very latest on bulk wine activity and inventory
Although continuing to be healthier than last year, activity levels on California’s bulk wine and grape markets have declined over the past four to eight weeks as the number of negative effects on buyer confidence continues to rise. First quarter case-good sales were softer than expected, retail numbers are still yet to stabilize, and the US administration’s tariff and foreign policies have hurt export sales.
With shelf space for Californian wines being rationalized at home and abroad, bulk inventory remains large and demand for it hesitant at best. Meanwhile, the grape market is slow enough to have led to what is likely the largest number of unpruned vineyards that we have seen. For the latest deep-dives into the bulk wine and grape markets – what is selling, and where – and updated inventory charts by volume and varietal, paying subscribers can read the full Ciatti California Report for May.
Our Vineyard Update is a longer one this month. Early growing conditions have been normal, and bud-break – where late in some places – has largely caught up following some warmer weather in recent weeks. But the real conversation is not around climatic conditions but grape market conditions, and what they mean for growers financially. The pull-back from grape buying that we have seen in recent weeks included many of those - few - buyers able to think strategically in terms of ensuring their future supply stays in the ground.
To read the latest Ciatti California Report in full, and get these benefits monthly -
- actionable bulk wine and grape market intelligence;
- our latest bulk inventory charts by volume and by varietal;
- our bulk/grape market activity barometer;
- the latest vineyard update;
- Saxco beverage packaging update;
- updated California Report PDF archive;
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